Our innovation model

Innovation, a strategic pillar for Iberdrola

At Iberdrola, we are committed to an innovation model that drives the development of disruptive and sustainable technologies that in turn consolidate the energy transformation.

Our vision in terms of innovation is to drive the development of disruptive and sustainable technologies, aligned with the key drivers of the transformation of the energy sector: decarbonising energy generation, through the massive integration of renewable energies, promoting smart grids and electrifying the demand.

At Iberdrola, we are the world's leading private energy company in terms of investment in R&D&I (Research, Development and Innovation) according to the European Commission. After investing €384 million in 2023, we set the target of reaching €4 billion by 2030. In this way, we seek to improve our processes, the operating conditions and safety of our facilities, as well as to reduce our environmental impact.

An innovative effort focused on five main bases

New products and services that respond to customer needs with greater personalisation of content and offers.

Disruptive technologies that are increasingly efficient, sustainable and eco-friendly, optimising the operation of facilities and processes, as well as products and services that are more innovative and competitive.

Digitalisation and automation across all businesses and processes, to create value in asset lifecycle management, network optimisation and aggregation, and integrated service design for the new digital customer profile.

Innovation with start-ups, entrepreneurs and suppliers. We are pioneers in promoting innovation with start-ups, entrepreneurs and suppliers to develop new disruptive business models, fostering the exchange of knowledge and acting as a driving force among our collaborators.

Culture of innovation and talent through knowledge transfer, attracting talent and promoting entrepreneurship.

Our figures

Data from our Innovation Report 2022 and our Strategic Plan 2026

385

€M/year investment in R&D

250

ongoing projects per year

700,000

members in the Universities Programme

+7,500

start-ups in the PERSEO ecosystem

See our Innovation Reports

Start-up Challenge

We are committed to technology start-ups to help us find innovative solutions to improve our operations and minimise our environmental impact.

Intelligent and sustainable maintenance for wind turbines

Technology to make our employees safer around electrical grid infrastructures

We’re looking for innovative technological solutions to drive the industry

How to make wind measurement in wind farms more efficient?

Start-up challenge: Planning new electricity grid scenarios

How can we guarantee the long-term capacity of the electricity grid?

Open innovation and collaborations

At Iberdrola, we promote training and research in innovative and sustainable projects, generating an interconnected and highly valuable innovative ecosystem. To this end, we collaborate with various institutions in universalising energy services, promoting knowledge in specific areas of science, energy, information technology, and in R&D&I projects.

Alliances

We promote training and research through our many international innovation centres.

Universities

Iberdrola Universities Programme (Iberdrola U), present on three continents and with 700,000 members, is committed to the transfer of knowledge, talent and social contribution.

PERSEO

PERSEO programme gives us access to the technologies of the future while fostering the development of a start-ups ecosystem in the electricity sector with a focus on sustainability.

Do you want to work with us?

R&D jobs

Innovation management

For executing our innovative activity, the Company has an open and decentralised R&D&I management model, with the participation of technology suppliers, universities, foundations, technology centres and industrial organisations through different programmes and subjects.

Decentralised, because the process is carried out independently in each business unit, supported and coordinated by the Innovation Directorate.
Open, because we consider ourselves a technology-driven company, and as such, it is our vocation to involve the Group's technology suppliers in our innovation process.

Innovation news

Iberdrola presents more than 150 use cases for artificial intelligence at the eleventh edition of the Digital Summit

05 June 2025

East-West Digital: A New Iberdrola Company Launched at the 2025 ‘Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg

22 May 2025

Avangrid launches an innovative power grid mapping project using drones and AI

07 May 2025

Avangrid Uses Generative AI to Support Field Technicians at Its Wind Farms in the United States

15 April 2025

Iberdrola, leader in the energy sector in attracting and retaining talent in Spain

05 March 2025

Iberdrola and ANCES join forces in the search for start-ups to drive photovoltaic tech

24 February 2025

Iberdrola and Enlit Europe start preparations for the star European industry event in Bilbao in November

19 February 2025

Iberdrola participates in an investment round in the startup Nido to drive aerothermal energy in Spain

10 February 2025

Iberdrola, the world's leading private utility in terms of R&D&I investment for the third year running

09 January 2025

Iberdrola invests in start-up RTS to develop innovative materials for offshore wind and energy renovations

22 November 2024

Iberdrola gives new wings to its wind farms with wind measurement formulas for its turbines

15 November 2024

Start-up Plexigrid wins Iberdrola's challenge to optimise grid capacity through data and AI

17 October 2024

Iberdrola invests in innovation, sustainability and smart grids at Startup Olé Salamanca

09 October 2024

Iberdrola's robot dog "Sparky" recognised for improving grid quality with innovative robotics

07 October 2024

Iberdrola’s SP Energy Networks acquires tech company to boost UK distribution network efficiency

30 September 2024

Iberdrola Legal Hub receives Financial Times Innovative Lawyers award in the Operational Transformation category

17 September 2024

Iberdrola installs more than 700,000 smart meters in the US

26 August 2024

Project WinDTwin Pioneers a New Era of Offshore Wind Energy Optimisation

15 July 2024

Iberdrola and Multiverse Computing announce pilot project success to optimise battery installation in the grid

12 July 2024

Iberdrola acquires 100% of Balantia to accelerate decarbonisation of companies

03 July 2024

More about our innovation model

Articles from our guest authors

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  Sergio Platón

PERSEO Start-up challenge electrical network

Technology to make our employees more safe around electrical grid infrastructures

At PERSEO we are looking for innovative technological solutions to equip and protect field workers in electrical transmission and distribution.
photovoltaic self-consumption photovoltaic energy

Virtual batteries: an energy solution of the future

Virtual batteries have emerged in the energy market as a practical and sustainable alternative to save, drive and secure the consumption of energy obtained through solar panels installed on homes.